Ponytail Holder

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides for a novel ponytail holder having incorporated hair holding support peg structures there with.

INDEX TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of and claims benefit to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/925,978 filed Oct. 25, 2019 the disclosure which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a long history of assistive devices for holding hair in place. A great difficulty arises in that hair typically does not have a favorable property for being held except with significant tension and force. There is a need for an effective holding device that does not in part discomfort relating to tension and force.

The present invention addresses this issue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general invention is directed towards an apparatus, a method of use and a method of manufacture of a ponytail holder having a hair comb integrated therewith. The recommendation would be method of use claims initially to provide a best chance of overcoming known art.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes an elastic band having a hair comb integrated thereon. The elastic band is fabricated having an exterior surface that sufficiently avoids entanglement with human hair.

A hair comb is secured to the elastic band, where fingers of the hair comb extend substantially perpendicularly to a length of the elastic band. In this embodiment, a backbone element of the hair comb can be over molded about a length of the elastic band.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes a hair comb designed for receiving and retaining the elastic band. The hair comb can be fabricated with a tubular segment extending through a backbone element of the hair comb. A segment of the elastic band is inserted through the tubular segment of the backbone element.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes a hair comb designed for receiving and retaining the elastic band. The hair comb can be fabricated with two or more loops provided in a spatial arrangement along a backbone element of the hair comb, each loop oriented in a direction perpendicular to the teeth of the comb. A segment of the elastic band is inserted through the tubular segment of the backbone element.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes a hair comb designed for receiving and retaining the elastic band. The hair comb can be fabricated with a series of open hooks provided in a spatial arrangement along a backbone element of the hair comb, each hook oriented in a direction opposite an adjacent hook. A segment of the elastic band is woven through the alternating open loops of the backbone element. In this embodiment, the hair comb can be provided separately from the elastic band, where the user could assemble their own elastic band into the hair comb.

The hair comb can be adorned with one or more embellishments. The one or more embellishments can be permanently affixed to the hair comb or interchangeable using a mechanical interface enabling easy exchange between designs, wherein the mechanical assembly interface can be a clip, a snap on, a tie, a magnetic interface, and the like.

In method of use, the user would complete the following steps:

Obtain a ponytail in accordance with the present invention;

Collect hair to create a ponytail;

Pull hair through the elastic band “ponytail” following with a natural movement insert the present invention into the hair;

Twist the elastic band creating the first loop containing the ponytail and a second, open loop;

Pull the ponytail through the second; open loop; and

continue with twisting and looping until the elastic band is sufficiently retaining the ponytail.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a ponytail holding apparatus comprising;

-   -   an elastic main body;     -   a support body having a support surface and a cavity in which         said main body is enclosed;     -   a plurality of hair support pegs having a base proximate to said         support body and a terminal end distal to said support body,         wherein said support pegs emanate outward from said support         surface of said support body.

In one embodiment, the support structure is a silicone sleeve positioned about said main body.

In one embodiment, the support pegs extend outward said support surface of said main body.

In one embodiment, the support structure is provided in a triangular configuration.

In one embodiment, the support pegs are conical.

In one embodiment, the support pegs are conical and have a spherical configuration on said distal end as demonstrated in the figures.

In one embodiment, the support pegs are permanently attached to said support body.

In one embodiment, the support pegs are removably attached to said support body.

In one embodiment, the support pegs, when removable attached are provided in user selectable and attachable sizes.

The invention includes a method for holding a ponytail comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing a holder according to the description and figures         herein;     -   pulling hair through the elastic band “ponytail” following with         a natural movement insert the present invention into the hair;     -   twisting the elastic band creating the first loop containing the         ponytail and a second, open loop;     -   pulling the ponytail through the second; open loop; and     -   continuing with said twisting and looping until the elastic band         is sufficiently retaining the ponytail.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a ponytail holding apparatus consisting of;

-   -   an elastic main body;     -   a support body having a support surface and a cavity in which         said main body is enclosed;     -   a plurality of hair conical support pegs as shown in the figures         having a base proximate to said support body and a terminal end         distal to said support body each terminal end having a spherical         configuration integral there with, wherein said support pegs         emanate outward from said support surface of said support body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view according to one embodiment of the present mention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-section view according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 are a vertical plan view according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective partial cross section view according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view demonstrating interaction with hair according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view in an environment of use according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view showing the main body inset into the support body according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an expanded view showing the main body inset into the support body according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As generally understood, the present invention provides a bendable device with “hair comb teeth” like that is attached to an elastic band by a manufacturing process, also commonly known as a ponytail.

In one configuration, the apparatus of the present invention is a tube-shaped device, silicone like material.

The figures demonstrate a substantially circular configuration, it is contemplated the present invention also be provided as triangular shaped device, also silicone like material potentially.

As demonstrated in the figures, the overall device 10 includes a main band body 12. The main band body 12 is formed of any suitable elastic expandable type material that is urged into a smaller circumference, expands when pulled upon by a user and urges back to a smaller circumference once the user releases.

The main band body 12 inserts into support body 14 that has formed there with support body cavity 22. Support body 14 is constructed and arranged with peg support surface 16. Emanating outward from pack support surface 16 are a plurality of support pegs 18 that are constructed and arranged with a support peg base 24 a substantially conical body that terminates in a support peg spherical end 20.

The present invention has discovered unexpected that the configuration including a conical support peg 18 and spherical terminal and 20 provides an improved configuration for interacting with and securing hair 30.

In one embodiment, support body 14 is substantially triangular having a base that forms peg support surface 16. In providing peg support surface 16 as a horizontal surface the present invention has further demonstrated improvement over prior devices in that the horizontal surface imports a more secure interaction between support pegs 18 and hair 30.

In one embodiment, a configuration of the present invention provides the apparatus formed having Support pegs 18 permanently attached to support body 14.

In another embodiment, a configuration of the present vengeance provides the apparatus formed having support pegs 18 removably attached to support body 14. In a configuration where the removable attachment is provided it is contemplated that various sizes of support pegs 18 are provided to user and selected based on user preference.

The configuration of the present invention provides at least one significant improvement in that the apparatus of the present invention does not alter the natural movement and process of making a ponytail on person's hair.

Because the configuration of the present invention provides for significant natural movement it is contemplates as being used on a daily basis for personal use and/or during any form of activity.

Thus, the present invention provides for significant improvement in that it enhances the functionality of a regular ponytail or any elastic band used to hold hair.

An additional advantage of the present invention provides that the simplified design does not require an education process for users.

The present invention further contemplates support body 14 is configured with an arc length equal to between 20 and 49 percent of the main band body 12 circumference when main band body 12 is in a fully urged configuration. The fully urge configuration as generally understood refers to the smallest circumference of main band body 12 when it is not being pulled to expand.

As demonstrated in FIG. 7, one embodiment the present invention provides for the elastic band is pulled (like any other band when initiating a ponytail) the body of the present invention naturally bends, and the support pegs 18 automatically enter and grip the hair to finalize its job/purpose. A user with then be able to simply finish the ponytail 40 like with any other device.

In one embodiment, the invention utilized a unique design that prevents the support pegs 18 from touching and/or intersecting with each other while the invention is in use and naturally bends to grip the hair.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed:
 1. A ponytail holding apparatus comprising; an elastic main body; a support body having a support surface and a cavity in which said main body is enclosed; a plurality of hair support pegs having a base proximate to said support body and a terminal end distal to said support body, wherein said support pegs emanate outward from said support surface of said support body.
 2. The ponytail holding apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support structure is a silicone sleeve positioned about said main body.
 3. The ponytail holding apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support pegs extend outward said support surface of said main body.
 4. The ponytail holding apparatus of claim 1 wherein support structure is provided in a triangular configuration.
 5. The ponytail holding apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support pegs are conical.
 6. The ponytail holding apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support pegs have a spherical configuration on said distal end.
 7. The ponytail holding apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support pegs are permanently attached to said support body.
 8. The ponytail holding apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support pegs are removably attached to said support body.
 9. The ponytail holding apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support pegs are provided in user selectable and attachable sizes.
 10. A method for holding a ponytail comprising the steps of: providing a holder according to claim 1; pulling hair through the elastic band “ponytail” following with a natural movement insert the present invention into the hair; twisting the elastic band creating the first loop containing the ponytail and a second, open loop; pulling the ponytail through the second; open loop; and continuing with said twisting and looping until the elastic band is sufficiently retaining the ponytail. 